Midland Snow Day

In addition to celebrating our tenth anniversary, the kids had a blast with a snow day. It has only snowed one other time since we've lived here (maybe two, depending on your definition of snow), and at that point we were still accustomed to Colorado snow so it wasn't that exciting 😂 the "I can't believe the schools closed for it, kind of 'not exciting'." 

Last night the snow started falling. Gabrie, Lillie, Addie, and Pennie were thrilled. They started grabbing our winter gear from the closet--homemade beanies, gloves, scarves, boots--and said they were setting it up so it was ready to go when they woke up in the morning. Gabrie said, "I'm going to bed right now so I can go to sleep and morning will come faster so we can go outside to play!" They went to bed. And they got out of bed. At least 27 times. Back and forth from their room to the dining room to look in the backyard at all the white dust quickly accumulating. Each time, passing through with a different piece of winter clothing on their body. (At least two of them slept with gloves on all night long.)

I am not so cool of a mom to send them to play in the snow at bedtime. Instead, I told them, "If you don't hurry up and go to sleep, and stop getting out of bed, I won't let you play in it tomorrow!" They went to sleep. 

8 A.M came and I was awakened to the sound of giggles and excitement and the front door opening. Justin and Gabrie and Lillie were looking out at the front yard, and almost out the door when I groggily said, "You can't go out yet! I want to watch you have fun, and take pictures, and your brother and sisters are still asleep, so go wake them up first!"

After breakfast, everyone had finally found the most appropriate winter attire they could find. Supplies are limited when you live in Texas, after all. 

Everyone had a great time. They played and then warmed up with a little coffee, video games, then lunch, and then played again until cheeks were stained pink and toes frozen together. It was especially great that Daddy was able to stay home and join in on the fun. Snow brings out the sweet--I don't recall refereeing a single time--except at the beginning of their play when I specifically said, "NO SNOWBALLS TO THE FACE!", and one somehow landed in Addie's. Brothers... 

Kids were in and out and busy all day, but I did manage to get just a couple cute quotes--

Pennie- "This is a great, great day." (the night of the snow)

Pennie- "I'm done outside, I'm done outside. Oww. It hurts."

Nathaniel- "Can we flood a tiny bit of the yard so we can skate on it?" (It didn't work, by the way). 

We also learned that Lillie is the toughest when it comes to cold weather (she outplayed pretty much everyone), Gabrie is the only person in the world to make a face down snow angel, and Addie doesn't like wearing layers or old pink sweatpants to play in the snow. She's much too fashionable for "weird pants". Juliette joined in the fun just long enough for a few pictures.

Snowball to the face.

Bikes don't work so good in snow :)

They only think they want outside-

Ten Years and Counting

Today Justin and I celebrate our 10th year together as a married couple. I'd love to write this post without sounding totally cliche, but I don't know that it's possible. Let's just get the first one out of the way now: Marriage is hard. We were warned in premarital counseling that marriage is hard. I remember the pastor telling us, "there will be days that you just don't 'feel' in love. You might wake up one day and just not want to be married to this person anymore. Love is a choice."

At the time I thought that was the craziest thing anyone has ever said about marriage. I didn't understand... what does he mean, it's a "choice"? The only choice I could really wrap my head around was the choice to get married in the first place. The pastor went on to talk about some personal stories about how he felt he had to choose his wife, and honestly, I don't remember what those stories were because all I could think about was the whole "love is a choice" thing. I thought, "No way. That's not how either of us feel. We DO love each other, we don't have to choose love."

Over the years, (I still don't feel qualified to give "marriage advice") I have learned what that pastor really meant by his statement. It's why so many marriages end up in divorce. Somebody decided to stop choosing love. We had decided when we first got back together that divorce or breaking up wouldn't be on the table. Not an option. Nathaniel was almost four when we got married, and because he hadn't been born to see us break up the first time, we didn't want him to have to actually experience it. If we're gonna be together, we're gonna be together. Period.

Now, I feel super lucky because Justin and I have a really great relationship. We're best friends. We're almost the same person, especially the longer we're together. We complement each other amazingly. The love part comes naturally, 90% of the time. The other 10%, it's usually his fault. (just kidding!). But really, if soul mate is a thing, we definitely found it. We've had our struggles, we've been ridiculous, moody, and downright selfish--that's where the "love is a choice" comes in for us.

I actually can't think of any more cliches to fill this post with-- I googled some to see if I could apply them and they were just depressing and very reflective of what the world says about marriage. I'm glad they don't apply! I did, however, find some cute quotes to share:

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." -Mignon McLaughlin

"The difference between an ordinary marriage and an extraordinary marriage is in giving just a little extra everyday, as often as possible, for as long as we both shall live." -Fawn Weaver

"A happy marriage is a selfless journey in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." -George and Yvonne Levy

"A long-lasting marriage is built by two people who believe in--and live by--the solemn promise they made." -Darlene Schacht

A whole decade, Justin. I know there were people who didn't think we'd make it past a year or so. (I love proving people wrong). Most of all, I am so happy I have you. I'll choose you, every single day. 

Today was the most perfect day. 

I love you.

I love this picture!

January Kid Quotes

I made a loud sound while stretching-

Gabrie:You're acting even weirder 

than you did in 2019.

Addie: Ahhhh this is the life. (While sitting in Daddy's new massage chair)

One day Addie and Pennie were taking a bath and I was doing laundry at the same time... This effects the water pressure. So once the washing machine stopped running water, and the tub faucet started working better, Addie says: This house is definitely haunted.

Pennie: Oohnooo lanonana no no lanono--I'm doing it in Spanish. 

Addie to Daddy, completely out of the blue: Daddy, why have we never seen a llama?

Addie: Lillie says that pink thing in your mouth is to help you breathe.

Selfie with Juliette

Me: The thing that hangs down?

Addie: Yeah

Lillie: Is it?

Me: Uh huh...

Lillie: I was right. 😏

Addie: Can I hold Juliette?

Me: Not right now, I'm holding her.

Addie: Please?! I haven't held her a piece today!

Nathaniel: She told me to pronunciate! (I told him to ENUNCIATE)

Pennie: Daddy can you get me a cup? Cause I am young?

Daddy:  I'm young too! How old do you think I am?

Pennie: Uhhh. 3.

Pennie: Mama I'm very hungry. Can I have a snack?

Me: Not yet.

Pennie: Please. Just a small snack. I'm very hungry.

Me: How hungry are you?

Pennie: Ummmm like 3.

Me: 3? That's not very hungry.

Pennie: Okay, like 6.

Pennie: Okay, this is the last temple run.

Playing Temple Run

Lillie wanted to play a video game.

I told her it was bedtime.

Lillie: Ughhhh. It's bedtime everyday!

Justin got some spiffy new shoes.

Lillie: Daddy, you're gonna sing rap songs now!

Pennie: I can just smell the samples.

Smelling Samples in Sams

Gabrie: That was bad math. Well, it is the weekend! Weekend brain.

Me: Go wake up Lillie

Pennie: I can't! Lillie is the expert.

Me: Expert at what?

Pennie: Snowflakes.

Pennie: I'm not a girl, I'm a lady!

Addie: Sometimes I can't remember my dreams so I just make one up.

Walking With Friends

Back in May 2019 (or maybe the very end of April), we went on the most pleasant walk with our dear friends, Jenny, Guy, and Ava. The very first friends we made in Midland. We met them at co-op and Jenny made me feel welcome on day one. She googooed over my baby (Pennie) and held her like we'd been friends forever. Her kids were sweet to mine. We started hanging out at the park together on non co-op days. We'd talk for hours while the kids played. Life got busy and we'd go weeks without talking or hanging out, but as soon as we did again, we picked right back up where we left off. I'll forever be grateful that she helped make our first 3 years in Midland so bearable, and even downright enjoyable on our park play dates.

This was our goodbye walk before they had to move to Houston. 

And in November 2019, they came back to visit us--